Painkiller Addiction

What we offer

Service available 24/7

Free Initial Assessment

Personalised Treatment Plan

1:1 nursing and therapy

Free and unlimited access to aftercare services

Codeine is a widely prescribed medication for pain relief which is usually taken orally. The body converts codeine into morphine so its effects are similar, if less intense. Like morphine and heroin, it is an addictive substance and often becomes a drug of abuse.

Doses in excess of those recommended or long-term use can lead to complications. When combined with other pain relievers, liver, kidney and stomach damage can develop.

Many prescribed and over-the-counter preparations have the potential to become drugs of abuse. These drugs are vital medical tools when used properly, but some people become addicted to them.

Common signs that someone is abusing painkillers include:

Taking medication without seeming to have the symptoms of an underlying medical disorder
Taking medication in excess of the recommended dose
Taking larger and larger doses of medication to relieve symptoms

Part of the challenge of treating addiction to these painkillers is that, compared to illegal substances, they are easy to obtain. The risks of painkilling drugs vary according to the drug, but all can lead to medical problems, overdose and even death.

How can we help?

Cygnet Hospital Godden Green provides the following services for painkiller addiction: